Hydroplane racing is an old-time sporting activity that has roots that date back to the 18th and 19th century. It holds a prestigious place in the hearts of the people in places near major bodies of water like Detroit, Michigan in the United States of America. Hydroplane racing is done using racing boats known as hydroplanes and on a large water bodies of water such as lakes and large rivers. This sporting activity falls into the category of adrenaline sports which some people like for the amount of action that is involved.

Performed on large bodies of water, this sporting activity is not suitable for small rivers and lakes as this puts the life of the participants in great danger. The modern-day racing hydroplane reach a speed of up to 200 miles an hour, which explains the reason why a reasonably sized body of water is a prerequisite for this sport to be safe and effective. The racing boats or hydroplanes come in different form and shapes, depending on the manufacturers make. Over the years, as hydroplane racing evolved, safety has been at the forefront of the changes, leading to the safer planes which have the driver seated in the canopy cockpit. During the early nineties, hydroplanes were powered by old jet engines, but today, with evolution in technology, you can get hydroplanes that are powered by turbine engines. The engines also used to be in the front of a driver, but are now situated at the back of the driver for safety purposes.

Hydroplane racing is a normal sporting activity just like car or bike racing. During the racing events, spectators play an active part in the race. In order to avoid accidents on the part of the racers or participants, the race is done on a knot so rough spots and curves on the water can be avoided. However, experienced racers are able to negotiate such curves, if need be, at all the times.

Have you ever seen what it looks like to go 200 MPH on a BOAT? I’m sure actually going that fast on a boat is pretty insane. I’ve just seen video and that is enough to get my adrenaline going!

“After over a 100 years of evolution in race boat design, the modern Unlimited Hydroplane is the worlds fastest race boat, capable of speeds over 200mph and powered by a 3000 horsepower Lycorning T-55 L-7 military Chinook helicopter turbine engine. Welcome to H1 Unlimited.”

(Evansville, IN)- The Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series continues this weekend in Evansville, Indiana, with the annual Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio. Miss Budweiser driver Dave Villwock, coming off a dominant effort at the season-opening event in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is the four-time defending champion at the Evansville event and currently holds a 385-point lead in the championship battle.

Villwock scored an impressive victory a the Empire Power Mohave Unlimited Hydrofest at Lake Havasu. But, as a result, he will be the first to feel the pinch of the UHRA’s new fuel restriction rule. The Miss Budweiser will compete throughout the Evansville weekend with a fuel flow reduced to 4.2 gallons per minute (GPM) instead of the standard 4.3 GPM. The reduction in fuel is expected to cost nearly 100 horsepower.

A number of drivers are expected to challenge Villwock at Evansville, including Mark Tate, Mark Weber, and Greg Hopp. Tate, in the U2 Freddies’ Club Casino, is currently in second place in the championship points after a strong second place finish at Lake Havasu. Close behind Tate are Weber, in the U10 York Heating and Air Conditioning, and Hopp, in the U100 Miss Project X.

“These three guys all drive hard and have a lot of experience,” said Villwock.